Hydrometer



i 2, 1942. L. D. FITLER, JR, Em 2,282 958 HYDROMETER Filed June 23, 1941Leswprdzen Jr: and Edward A .Fbuss ATTQRNEYS WITNESS Patented May '12,1942 HYDROMETER Lester D. Fitler, Jr., New York, N. Y., and Edward A.Feuss, Bloomfield, N. J., assignors to F. Morse Smith and James G.Henry, Jr both of Montclail, N. J.

Application June 23, 1941, Serial No. 399,354

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices useful in determiningthe specific gravity of liquids and especially is concerned with a noveldirect reading hydrometer.

One of the principal disadvantages of existing types of hydrometers isthat the calibrated floating member exhibits a marked tendency tooscillate during a reading with resultant difliculty in obtaining anaccurate or satisfactory reading. Another disadvantage of existing typesof hydrometers is that the solution retained within the hydrometerchamber not infrequently tends to run out through the discharge tube,thus in many instances vitiating the reading, particularly whensolutions having extremely low surface tension are being examined.

It is among the more important objects of this invention to provide anovel hydrometer which, by reason of internal structure, providesfrictional damping of movement of the float member, thus avoiding thefirst mentioned of the above disadvantages of existing types ofhydrometers.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a novel hydrometerconstruction means for inhibiting leakage of solution from thehydrometer chamber, thereby permitting more accurate readings than havebeen possible with some of the types of hydrometers now in use.

A further object is to provide a novel hydrometer provided with meansfacilitating the use of a thermometer for taking temperature readings ofthe liquid being tested.

An important advantage of the novel hydrometer construction according tothis invention is the facility in which the calibrated scale thereof,may read as contrasted to the difliculty of reading of many existingtypes of hydrometers,

particularly the float types wherein a calibrated scale carried upon thefloat is read against the index provided by the meniscus of the liquidwherein the instrument floats.

Noteworthy among the features of the novel hydrometer according to thepresent invention are its simplicity and ruggedness of construction, theformer suiting the device to the requirements of manufacture underconditions of mass production and the latter assuring long useful life.

Other objects, advantages and features of the new and improvedhydrometer according to the present inventionwill be apparent to thoseskilled in this art during the course of the following de-.- scription.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects the novel hydrometeraccording to this invention comprises a vertically extending chamberwherewithdrawing liquid from the chamber to a predetermined level,and'means for drawing liquid into the interior of the chamber.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l 'is substantially 'a vertical sectional view of the presentlypreferred embodiment of this invention;

-of Figure 3. a

In the embodimentselectedto illustrate our invention, we make use of abarrel in provided with a tubular neck I! at its lower end forconnection with a valve l4. Valve l4 includes a rotatable plug it havingan operating handle l8 connected therewith. Valve I4 is provided with ina verticall slidable buoyant float is positioned said float carrying anindex cooperating with a scale on the chamber, means for admittingliquid to be tested into the bottom of the chamber and an inlet tube 20and has communication with one end of an overflow by-pass tube 22, thelatter having its other end communicating with the barrel l0intermediate its ends.

Through adjustment of the valve plug IS, the barre It may be placedincommunication with the i let tube 20. To draw liquid into the barrel,when the valve plug I6 is positioned in a manner such that communicationis established between the interior of the barrel and the tube 20, acompressible bulb '24 is connected with a short tubular element 26communicating with the interior of the barrel it closely adjacent itsupper'end.

Inside the barrel I0 is located a float 28 which has the contour of acylinder and of such diameter as to be spaced slightly from the wall ofthe barrel I0; However, the float may move freely relatively to thebarrel.

An index rod 30 projects axially of the upper" end of the float 28 andis provided with a flattened end 32 adapted to seat within a countersunkopening 34 in the cap 36 which-closes the upper end of the barrel. Cap36 is bored to slidably receive the index rod 30, and the cap may bethreadedly connected with the barrel, as illustrated. a

A clip 38 is pivotally mounted on the cap 36 through the medium of abolt 40, and the clip is arranged to overlie the end 32 of the index rod30 to restrict movement of the float 28 and hold.

the latter in the manner of Fig. 1. When the clip is swung to the fullline position of Fig. 2, the

- clip clears the end 32 so that the float is freed.

A graduated scale 42 is mountedon the cap 36 and parallels the axis ofthe barrel. Thus the index rod 30 may be moved relatively to the scale42, particularly the end 32 of the rod, through the medium of the float28, According- Figure 2 is essentially a top plan view of the 1y, areading coaction exists between the end 32 and the scale.

A tube 43 communicates with the barrel it near its bottom and hascommunication with the barrel intermediate its ends through the mediumor a tubular branch 43. A thermometer 43 extends into the upper end ofthe tube 34, and the bulb end 50 of the thermometer extends beneath theliquid level 52 in the barrel l3. To the upper end of the tube 44 isconnected a tubular thermomet'er guard 54 through the medium of a glandnut 58, with rubber packing I3 interposed between the upper end oi thetube and the guard. While the thermometer 43 extends through the rubberpacking 53, the latter has liquid sealing engagement therewith, andthetubular element 46 is located slightly beneath the packing. A slot 60 isprovided in the guard I4 to provide a window which lends visibility tothe reading on the thermometer.

In operation, the clip 33 is swung into engagement with the end 32 onthe index rod 30. With the valve plug l6 adjusted to establishcommunication between the barrel Ill and the inlet tube 20, the bulb 24is compressed and the inlet tube inserted in the liquid to be tested.Upon release of pressure from the bulb 23, the latter returns to itsnormal condition and draws liquid into the barrel in. After the bulb 24has been fully distended, the valve plug I3 is turned to place the neckl2 in communication with the by-pass tube 22, and the clip 33 is movedclear of the end 32 to permit the float 23 to rise. The valve plug I6 isthen turned to place the inlet tube 23 into communication with theby-pass tube 22, which permits the liquid to drain to the exact level52. Accordin ly, the specific gravity of the liquid may then bedetermined by inspection oi the end 32 with reference to the scale 42. Atable should be provided to correlate the temperature of the solution atthe time of the reading with the scale readings to give the ireeaingpoint or the solution.

For convenience, an opening 32 is provided in the scale 42 to receive anappropriate supporting pin. When not in use, the float 23 is latched inthe position of Fig. l by merely pivoting the clip 33 into engagementwith the end 32.

Having thus described certain embodiments of our invention in detail, itis, of course, understood that we do not desire to limit the scopethereof to the exact details set forth except insofar as those detailsmay be defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A hydrometer comprising: a barrel; an inlet commimicating with saidbarrel; means for introducing fluid into the barrel; a scale fixedlyrelated to said barrel; a float slidably guided inside the barrel andhaving an index element cooperable with said scale for indicatingrelative positions of the float inside the barrel; a two-way valvearranged in said inlet; and an overflow conduit placing said barrel incommunication with one part or said valve.

2 A hydrometer comprising: a barrel; a valve controlled inletcommunicating with said barrel; means for introducing fluid into thebarrel; a scale fixedly related to said barrel; 9. float slidably guidedinside the barrel and having an index element cooperable with said scalefor indicating relative positions of the float inside the barrel; anoverflow conduit placing said barrel in communication with said valve;said barrel tension; said thermometer extending throughsaid sealingmeans and sealingly engaging the latter; and said tubular extensionbeing provided with a window exposing the scale on the thermometer.

5. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said index elementincludes a rod and a flattened end; and a clip element arranged toengage said flattened end to restrain rising of the float and the indexelement.

6. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said valve is soconstructed and arranged as to selectively establish communicationbetween the barrel and a liquid source or between the overflow conduitand the atmosphere.

'7. A hydrometer comprising: a barrel; an inlet tubular means at one endof said barrel; a valve interposed in said inlet tube; a float slidableinside the barrel having an index element secured thereto; a scalefixedly related to said barrel; said barrel having an end provided withan opening for slidably guiding said index element, with the latterarranged in enacting relation with said scale; an overflow tube havingcommunication with the barrel and said valve; a compressible bulbcommunicating with the barrel for drawing liquid therein through saidinlet tubular means; and a latch means for said index element to latchthe float in a retracted position.

8. The invention described in claim 7 wherein said barrel is providedwith a by-pass tube; a guard communicating with said by-pass tube; andathermometer located inside the guard and extending into said by-passtube for contact with liquid therein.

9. The invention described in claim 7 wherein said barrel is providedwith a by-pass tube; a guard communicating with said by-pass tube; athermometer located inside the guard and extending into said by-passtube for contact with liquid therein; a threaded connection between saidguard and said by-pass conduit; and a sealing gasket between the guardand the by-pass tube, with the thermometer extending through the gasketand sealingly engaging the latter.

10. The invention described in claim- 'I wherein said barrel is providedwith a by-pass tube; a guard communicating with said by-Dass tube; athermometer located inside the guard and extending into said by-passtube for contact with liquid therein; a threaded connection between saidguard and said; by-pass conduit; a sealing gasket between the guard andthe by-pass tube, with the thermometer extending through the gasket andsealingly engaging the latter; and

